For the Love of Clove – An Essential Oil2016-07-012016-11-10http://vegascannabismag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vcm_new_logo_blk.pngVegas Cannabis Magazinehttp://vegascannabismag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Clove-Health-Benefits.jpg200px200px

Clove essential oil is one of the most versatile oils. It is considered an antiseptic for oral infections and an antimicrobial for external uses. It is also used in food, candy and gum for flavor. The high levels of eugenol contained in clove essential oil are responsible for its strong biological and antimicrobial activities. It also has high levels of manganese and other nutrients including potassium, magnesium and calcium. Clove is indigenous to Indonesia and Madagascar. It has also been used for thousands of years in Chinese culture, and was known throughout Chinese history to help with things like acne, gum disease, energy boosting, anti-inflammatory, mold and fungus killing and for improving blood circulation.

The human mouth is a bacterial playground. If you have any kind of oral discomfort, it can be the worst pain. As human beings, we are really sensitive to pain in our mouths. That’s why having natural products to ease discomforts and also help the body to fight oral impurities is really a blessing. The Journal of Dentistry published a study in 2006 proving clove oil had the same numbing effect as benzocaine. For this reason, you can use clove oil for teething with infants by diluting the oil with coconut oil and rubbing it on the gums. By simply using a drop of pure, therapeutic grade clove essential oil (please don’t ever use clove oil that you buy off the shelf internally), you can transition the mouth from a place of sensitivity and discomfort to a place of comfort and you can continue life more normally until you can get to a professional. Because it can be what is considered a “hot” oil, make sure to test a very small amount, diluted, to make sure that you have no sensitivities.

Preventatively, you can also use clove oil on your dental floss to help get clove oil around your gum lines. This also helps to kill germs that cause bad breath, and possibly help to avoid future tooth and gum issues. You can also use one drop of clove oil on your toothbrush as you brush your teeth to add the antiseptic properties to your ritual. Since the mouth carries so many germs, having something that kills off germs naturally is a real bonus.

Published in Oral Microbiology & Immunology, a study was performed to see how clove compared to other antifungal treatments and observed that clove was as effective as nystatin, a drug commonly prescribed to manage yeast infections of the mouth (thrush) and all the side-effects associated.

Microorganisms from the oral cavity have been shown to cause a number of oral infectious diseases, including caries (tooth decay), periodontitis (gum disease), endodontic (root canal) infections, alveolar osteitis (dry socket), and tonsillitis. Evidence is accumulating which also links oral bacteria to a number of systemic diseases like cardiovascular disease, stroke, preterm birth, diabetes and pneumonia.

A study done at the University of Buenos Aires indicated which bacteria are the most sensitive to clove’s potency. According to their study, clove has the greatest antimicrobial ability over E. coli and also exerted control over Staph Aureus, which causes acne. For skin and acne purposes, clove oil works great when mixed with a couple teaspoons of raw honey and then added to your face wash.

AND NOW THE FACTS: Clove contains 30x more antioxidants than blueberries. Antioxidants are molecules that reverse the damage that free radicals cause, including cell death and cancer. Research has shown that antioxidants slow aging and protect the body against viruses and bad bacteria. Clove is known as the ultimate “protective” oil and is used in popular therapeutic essential oil blends. History tells us that clove oil was one of the main oils that protected people from getting the Bubonic Plague in Europe. Natural protection for your body is a good thing. Consider using clove at home in your diffuser, mixed in to your homemade personal products, on your gums, or in some coconut oil rubbed on your chest and/or neck areas for added antioxidant protection.

And until next month…Happy June, Happy Sunshine…Summer is Here, SMILE! Shelly

By Shelly Berkowitz, Reflexoligist & Holistic Health Counselor

For consultations or more information about how to use or purchase essential oils, please contact Shelly Berkowitz, Reflexologist & Holistic Health Coach at (714) 514-3737. Shelly can also be reached via email at ahealthyresidual@yahoo.com and her website can be viewed at www.mydoterra.com/shellyberkowitz. You can also find her on Facebook at A Healthy Residual

FDA Disclaimer: The information, advice, statements, and testimonials made about the essential oils, blends, and products mentioned on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The information on this site and the products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, nor are they intended to replace proper medical help. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any regimen with essential oils. User submitted testimonials are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results – what works for one may not work for another.